Vehicle for Route

[Morty]

Also check your states govt surplus sales.

I've seen 2010-15 Ford explorers/expedition/f150/escape Chevy Tahoe dodge caravans/trucks

$1500-$4000 every day.

Ford has a 3 year unlimited mile transmission commercial warranty on factory reman.

And spend the money and get the right tools to work on your vehicle. Harbor freight or snapon, they'll pay for themselves with 1 brake job.

Anyone that drives in salt: fluid film is cheap and easy to apply every few months. Your ride will never rust out if you keep on top of it.

 

[littlesew&sew]

I am route vehicle shopping now. It's a pain in the backside!
Seven years on the job and I'm running my backup route vehicle, 05 Canyon crew cab with a topper. I love the space for parcels and it handles great on snow and ice. Turning radius is similar to a full-size truck which can be a challenge in some spots and brake jobs are quite expensive.
My 04 Chevy Venture had tons of room and 22 to 25 mpg on the route but the rough roads and winter driving weren't the best in it.
Favorite, by far, to this point was an 02 Dodge Durango. Crap gas mileage but it hauled a ton of parcels and I couldn't get that beast stuck.
Trying to get rid of my 97 Cherokee that's been my main route car for about 3 years. I love the RHD and that's the only thing I like about it. It's too small, sits too low, and feels like a paper airplane in bad weather.
I would prefer to get another true RHD but I can't see putting more than a year's salary into a Wrangler. My shoulders and elbows can't handle straddling every day, so I am looking into converting a 4runner or other midsize SUV.

 

[rb8jm]

I have a 2000 and a 2006 Toyota Sienna. I've been happy with them. Everyone with Dodge/Chrysler minivans have had nothing but problems....expensive problems.

Does the 2006 Sienna have the stick shift in the middle (down low by the center console)? That looks like the stick shift is in the way.

 

[Postal-xam@58]

I was going to tell you , they are making the s10 again but it looks nothing like the old ones.

 

[lbpd16]

Does the 2006 Sienna have the stick shift in the middle (down low by the center console)? That looks like the stick shift is in the way.

yes, but its not in the way. its a little higher on the center dash

 

[rb8jm]

do

yes, but its not in the way. its a little higher on the center dash

do you know if the stick is in the way on a 2008 sienna van ? I plan to drive from the passenger side

 

[btdtret]

rb8jm -- Google: interior images of 2008 sienna van

-- Does not appear it would be a problem.

 

[Windindaface]

A random thought here. Current LLV cubic feet space is 108 and 1000 lbs of load.. Why buy a ride for POV use beyond that?

 

[lbpd16]

do

do you know if the stick is in the way on a 2008 sienna van ? I plan to drive from the passenger side

Its not in my way at all

 

[lbpd16]

do

do you know if the stick is in the way on a 2008 sienna van ? I plan to drive from the passenger side

Took a pic today. Driving from the passenger side my left leg has plenty of room and as you can see the shifter is not in the way at all.

 

[C$$]

Took a pic today. Driving from the passenger side my left leg has plenty of room and as you can see the shifter is not in the way at all.

Early February? Shorts? No heater? It must be hot there in the summer time!

 

[lbpd16]

Early February? Shorts? No heater? It must be hot there in the summer time!

central texas. the day before the high was in the low 40's. yesterday it was in the low 70's

 

[lbpd16]

I used pedal extensions, made it easier on the body.

The pedals in the 06 Sienna were a bit short, but buying extenders seemed expensive. I found these 2 DIY options on the interwebs.

Gas pedal

Brake pedal

Clutch Pedal Extender DIY - Chautime

If you want a quick, cheap way to extend your pedals by 3/4" you can do this for about $20 and will be done in about 15 minutes. Clutch pedal extender DIY.

www.chautime.com

 

[rb8jm]

Thanks for the picture lbpd16 . Did you remove that console (cup holder from between the seats)? Let me know about gas mileage and room for parcels

 

[lbpd16]

yes, i removed the swing down cup holder. it was easy. a couple bolts on the bottom. I only use the van for work and I get about 13 mpg. I have a 72 mile rural route I normally do. When my regular gets back i'll be moving around again. Plenty of room for parcels. The Gen 2 Siennas are wider, taller, and lower that the Gen 1. Plus the better engine and 5 speed auto trans have enough power and shift smoothly. I have no complaints about it.
If you can find a 2007 or newer they have a timing chain instead of a timing belt. So that will save about $1000 on having to eventually replace the timing belt.

 

[rb8jm]

Hey IPD16, I purchased my 2004 Sienna from my daughter, she's been driving it for about five yrs no problems. I get it from her and its stuck in park. it keeps blowing the brake light fuse and won't let me shift into driving mode. Have you ever seen this problem with the Sienna van ?
I think it has a short somewhere, I replaced the brake light switch????

 

[C$$]

Hey IPD16, I purchased my 2004 Sienna from my daughter, she's been driving it for about five yrs no problems. I get it from her and its stuck in park. it keeps blowing the brake light fuse and won't let me shift into driving mode. Have you ever seen this problem with the Sienna van ?
I think it has a short somewhere, I replaced the brake light switch????

I don't have experience with a Sienna, but if it keeps blowing fuses, definitely means a short. It won't shift out of park b/c of the brake shift interlock solenoid. There is usually some sort of manual override near the shifter. Won't keep your fuses from popping, but will at least let you move the vehicle.

If you have an ohmmeter and wiring diagram it will make your life easier. If not, you can still check for obvious problems:
1) Look at the wiring. See if it is cut up or chewed on by a rodent.
2) Take off the brake lenses and check the bulbs/sockets. It isn't unusual for moisture to get in the socket and corrode things
3) Unplug the interlock solenoid. If this keeps your fuse from popping, then solenoid is bad and needs replaced.

Good Luck!

 

[callofthewild]

rb8jm, try checking the brake light switch, it is a safety feature. Go to the Internet and put in Help my car is struck in Park what is wrong. Simple to fix and the part was less than $20.00.

 

[lbpd16]

Hey IPD16, I purchased my 2004 Sienna from my daughter, she's been driving it for about five yrs no problems. I get it from her and its stuck in park. it keeps blowing the brake light fuse and won't let me shift into driving mode. Have you ever seen this problem with the Sienna van ?
I think it has a short somewhere, I replaced the brake light switch????

the previous owner of mine had a brake light switch code. but I havent had any of the problems you mentioned. I believe you can override the shift lockout manually and get it into park. The owner's manual has a section on that.